• 

Civil unrest, internal conflict, terrorism, bird flu, flooding and the aftermath of a tsunami and an earthquake have cast an overwhelming pall on tourism, and life in general, in Indonesia. But if we were to ignore these things and pretend they don’t exist, traveling to Indonesia would be an opportunity to explore a tropical archipelago of some 17,000 islands, scattered over the equator like a god’s massive fistful of gold coins.

The island of Bali has earned an almost mythical allure as a popular resort island. Its chain of volcanoes looms across the sky like a battalion of geological guardians. The island of Komodo is home to its namesake dragons. On Sulawesi, mountains, orchids, valleys, butterflies, lakes, thermal springs and geysers grant the island an embarrassment of natural riches. Java has caves to explore, beaches for soaking up sun, and fishing villages whose restaurants serve up luscious catch of the day. In the capital city of Jakarta one experiences the frenetic pace of modern day Indonesia. Borobudur is the place to see literally miles of Buddhist relief carvings. Stunning landscapes, exotic culture and a people who have endured much hardship, make one long for a day when Indonesia finds peace and prosperity.